Notes on the Constitution of the United States and on constitutions more generally. Dave Gardner One of the great powers in the world, the USA, has a widely acclaimed written constitution, written in the late eighteenth century. It is based on the political philosophy of John Locke, an English philosopher and leading theoretician of the … Continue reading Notes on the Constitution of the United States
Democracy
Starmer’s U-turn on Digital ID – does he really mean it?
Steven Roy and Tom Darksen The recent climb down by the Labour Government on the mandatory introduction of digital ID followed polling conducted after Keir Starmer’s initial announcement of the scheme, showing that less than a third of the population were in support of it. Approximately three million people signed the Parliamentary Petition ‘Do not … Continue reading Starmer’s U-turn on Digital ID – does he really mean it?
On the Road to Digital Serfdom—Editorial
For some years Labour Affairs has pointed to the increasing authoritarian tendencies of our political parties in parliament, noting the lack of substantive policy differences between them and their complicity in introducing legislation that erodes citizen’s rights, most notably the Terrorism Act of 2000, an act breathtaking in its scope, with no temporal limitation and, currently, the … Continue reading On the Road to Digital Serfdom—Editorial
The Crime and Policing Bill 2025
The Crime and Policing Bill now being discussed covers a great many topics; each topic is then garlanded with many amendments, making it what’s known apparently as a ‘Christmas tree’ bill. What concerns us today is the clause that intends to curtail pro-Palestinian marches. See below the Jewish Bloc for Palestine statement and the speech by John … Continue reading The Crime and Policing Bill 2025
Demolishing Democracy—Editorial
Britain’s Politicised Terror Legislation Britain is now seeing the full effects on our civil liberties of the provisions of the 2000 Terrorism Act and other anti-terrorism legislation. It is evident that the government and the political class are determined to enforce the provisions of the 2000 and 2006 terrorism legislation to punish indirect and even … Continue reading Demolishing Democracy—Editorial
ARMS FACTORY 10 HELD FOR A YEAR WITHOUT TRIAL
Morning Star 16 August 2025 TEN out of 24 pro-Palestine activists charged over a break-in at an Israeli weapons factory in Bristol have been held in prison for a year without trial. Eight have been in custody for nine months, with most of the Filton 24 set to be imprisoned for more than two years … Continue reading ARMS FACTORY 10 HELD FOR A YEAR WITHOUT TRIAL
Use of the Terrorism Acts against Palestine supporters
Labour Affairs Group There are now four main pieces of counter-terrorism legislation: the Terrorism Act 2000, the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001, the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, and the Terrorism Act 2006. Plus The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (which includes the “Prevent” programme). In fact this list may not be exhaustive, as the anti-terror legislation keeps … Continue reading Use of the Terrorism Acts against Palestine supporters
Is freedom of expression a privilege or an essential ingredient of democracy?
Eamon Dyas Although placing limits on freedom of expression has always been a feature of western democracies — particularly in angst-ridden Germany — I’ve noticed since Covid an upsurge in the way in which public figures in the west are increasingly describing freedom of expression as a privilege. In Britain the establishment’s use of antisemitism … Continue reading Is freedom of expression a privilege or an essential ingredient of democracy?
Lords of Misrule—Editorial
A general election is upon the British people. General elections in Britain are theatrical affairs that rely on the generation of enthusiasm through manufactured differences in policy and outlook. By doing so continuity is achieved through the semblance of genuine controversy and the myth of liberal democracy is preserved. That myth rests on the idea … Continue reading Lords of Misrule—Editorial
Britain Preparing for War
Brendan Clifford "Britain should be preparing for war—instead we're fretting over fiscal rules".—so says Paul Mason in City AM (9th April). Under his many disguises Mason has always remained a British patriot. British patriotism carries many things of the moment along with it on its erratic journey. These things are discarded in a moment when the opportunity arises for … Continue reading Britain Preparing for War
General Election, 2024 “They’re off!”
Mick Murray (1) “Helloooo, is Praful there ?” That was a headline in the Islington Tribune greeting the news that Praful Nargund had been named in the shortlist of two to be the official Labour Party candidate in the Islington North constituency held, since 1983, by Jeremy Corbyn. “It’s total silence from the Labour hopeful … Continue reading General Election, 2024 “They’re off!”
A personal reflection on Rochdale
By Nadia Klok London Secretary of the Workers Party of Great Britain “It all starts here you see,” states my father, as we walked down Duke Street off Grosvenor square some few years back, “Where do you think Simon Bolivar got his taste for revolution against Spanish Imperialism? Or where Karl Marx got the balls … Continue reading A personal reflection on Rochdale
The use of the notion of ‘hate crime’ to shut down debate
Eamon Dyas BBC report: Government to allocate £31 million to improve safety and security for all elected politicians https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68562310 This is all part of making a perceived threat real. But does the level of online abuse of politicians mean that there is an actual real threat? Before the arrival of the digital age the only … Continue reading The use of the notion of ‘hate crime’ to shut down debate
Unelected leaders in Australia and Ireland
Richard Jones There is emotion about Varadkar being appointed not elected. (I acceptthe shorthand that refers to leaders of parties that win elections aselected prime ministers etc.) What's missing is any political assessmentof how such a thing happens. I think y'all should get to accept it asthe new norm, as the story of Varadkar standing … Continue reading Unelected leaders in Australia and Ireland
Labour Affairs 